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Guide to Northern Florida Fun

Summer vacation is just around the corner and spring break has already sprung here in Northwest Florida.  Everyone goes to the beach for different reasons.  Chris used to spend a lot of his time diving.  I dig paddle boarding.  We both like to go to just relax, plus you never know who you might meet.  People come here from around the world.

Also, Destin is nicknamed the luckiest fishing village in the world for a reason. Recently Chris went deep sea fishing for the first time and brought home a few 45lbs Amberjacks and a couple of Gag Groupers that weighed in over 50lbs each.

It’s hard living in a place where everyone else comes to have a good time.  How do you choose between parasailing, kite surfing, and a pick up game of beach volleyball?  And then where to eat? 

Seafood abounds, but there’s also Japanese, Thai, Creole and Cajun, Mexican, and German to name a few.  The other night we splurged and had a feast at the local Melting Pot.  I’m still stuffed.

Seems like all fun and games--I know.  And for the most part it is.  However, and I want you to listen up--because we want you to stay alive:  don’t drink and swim, cross HWY 98 in a designated cross walk, don’t play around on the balconies, and if you are bleeding--stay out of the water (sharks live here too). 

Caution:  Please watch the flags.  Green means Good to GO!, Purple means Dangerous Marine Life (Jellyfish, Sharks), Yellow means Moderate Surf and Currents, Red pretty much means stay out of the water (unless your a surfer) because of the High Surf and Strong Current.

If you do come to the beaches, please make sure to stay off the Dunes.  The Dunes take a long time to build up and they provide protection against storm surges.  Also, please clean up after yourself so the beaches can stay beautiful for everyone.

Please visit www.travelwade.com for a video of the Gulf Coast Beaches and other posts of our travel adventures.

A Guide To Road Romance

 Many a backpackers dream is to head off to a foreign land and taste the local sashimi. However, if you don’t want to pay outrageous prices for sometimes outdated fish, you’re gonna have to learn some tricks. In this guide I will present you with the tips that will maximize your potential for road romance.

Part 1.

Regardless of your experience or luck back home, if you are going backpacking, there is a good chance you are going to get it on. This is due to a few reasons. The first is that by just being a traveler, you gain a certain cool factor. You are the guy or girl who is looking for good times and adventures in foreign lands. Who isn’t attracted to this ideal?  The second reason is that when you are traveling in a foreign country, all the rules from back home don’t seem to apply anymore. You can do socially or morally unacceptable things, like fart in a closed train compartment with a bunch of strangers, and not feel too guilty about it. Why? Because sociologically speaking, it’s not your society and so you don’t feel susceptible to possible consequences. Additionally, in case anyone smelled the remnants of your taco salad lunch, you will probably never see them again. So, why am I talking about passing gas in closed compartments? Well, this analogy best illustrates how both guy and girl backpackers feel when it comes to hooking up with other backpackers. It’s a combination of “what you do on the road, stays on the road,” with culture shock, horniness, and sometimes drunkenness that makes it much more likely to find romance. Girls in particular are especially inclined to get it on.  Guys on the other hand are always down for some action regardless of the situation.

How Not To Get It On

Although inherent to backpacking is an increased probability that you will get it on, it is still necessary to refine your techniques and positioning in order to maximize this potential. Lets first begin with ‘things not to do.’ You will find that these apply at home as well as abroad. 

1) Try not to talk excessively about yourself. There is a tendency for many backpackers, especially if it’s their first time, to ramble on and on about the places they have seen and things they have done. This is all good to an extent but when the conversation becomes one sided, it can become a turn off. 

2) If you can help it, try not to emanate funky odors. Get a shower in before you leave the hostel in the morning. While everyone on the road inevitably stinks, there are degrees of stinkiness, and you don’t want to fall into the “he/she smells like bear shit” category. 

3) Finally, you don’t want to give him/her the impression that you are looking for something more than a hook up. You never know, it could evolve into a “Before Sunset” relationship, but in order to kindle the flames, a no strings attached mentality is the consensus.

Now lets turn to some active strategies you can undertake in order to facilitate the actual mating process. 

1) It is important for you to choose the right hostel. You should take into account a few different factors when deciding. First, anything with a hot tub or pool is a yes. Large and relatively private showers are also good. Finally, a back yard with some overgrown foliage may prove an ideal love suit. Check out “Living In a Hostel” for more details on hostel sex.

2) Take night trains with nice sleeping compartments. Not only do night trains help maximize your time sight seeing but they often present great opportunities to indulge in your carnal impulses. The sleeping bunks are quite narrow, so you will definitely need good balance. Turning this into a reality begins at the train station. While you are buying your ticket, scope out the backpackers. Make friends and see if you can’t bunk up with one of them. The rest is up to you. Additionally, you may discover a beautiful swiss girl smoking in the train corridor. She might just teach you how to roll a cigarette and then if you’re lucky, invite you into the bathroom. I would indulge you further with he details of a few triumphant anecdotes but my family is probably going to read this.

3) Festivals! European festivals in particular are comparable to massive mating rituals. The relentless rhythm of the bass, the cornucopia of drugs and alcohol, and a sea of private tents make it hard not to get it on at a festival. Click here for a guide on the coolest festivals of Europe.

To sum up, if you keep your B.O. under taxi cab levels, find hostels conducive to your ambitions and attend famous festivals, you will get your mojo on. While your chances of getting laid on the road are far greater than at home, you still need to have ‘game’ and position your self strategically. Conversely, for those of you with out much luck and with money to blow, you can always get a prostitute. Engage at your own risk!

 

Good luck and safe travels,

Leif For more budget backpacking guides from Train Jumping to Hitchhiking check out The Runaway Guide.

Tipping: It's Not Just a City in China

Please welcome today's guest blogger from http://findwalnuts.blogspot.com

Everyone at some point in their lives should be in the service industry. EVERYONE. Then they would understand the trials and hurdles a waiter faces. This blog is inspired by two new buddies from Denmark
(whom I met on my travels in NZ and then proceeded to meet up with later in Hollywood). In NZ, Australia, and Denmark it is not customary to tip.  Here's why: the minimum wage in these countries is double (if not triple) than that of the United States.  That's why they don't need your money. In the United States, its a bit different (especially outside California).  The U.S. is kinda backwards all over (hello feet, inches, degrees, mph). We don't make what the rest of the world makes, precisely why we depend on your tips.  But Paul, my service really sucked! Well, the guy probably has been there too long or maybe he's having a bad day. It happens. Solution: Ask for a manager. I don't take it out the waiter's pocket.   Give the guy some $, and politely as for a manager.  

That way, Mr. X got his money and you have someone to talk to about your bad service.  Don't make a scene, don't throw things, don't stomp about til you get a free appetizer (because that appetizer was dropped on the floor on purpose).  Say your peace, pay your money, and hopefully someone will respond with someone productive.  Scenario 2: You walk up to the bartender and say "Hey man, I'm a real big tipper, take care of me, and I'll get you back." More often than not, that dude stiffs you after you've been hooking him up all night.  Solution: You get to a bar, throw the bartender $ up front and say "Hey, you get me, there's more to come." Now I know you mean business. When I left $6 on the table after my $30 meal, my guys from Denmark thought I was crazy.  

Dude is working at 3am and probably has been there since 6pm with no breaks.  Ya, I gave'em $6.  Minimum wage in Denmark is $20. I'll type that again. MINIMUM WAGE IN DENMARK IS $20. They get free healthcare and free university (college to you U.S. types). Sounds like paradise...where do I sign up?! The catch: they get taxed double what we do.  They make more and get taxed more, which in turn goes back into the country so they can pay for healthcare/school. We get taxed less and pay for everything. So it evens out really.  Well look at that, we all learned something today.  We all got some culture.  That's what I'm here for, education. Bringing the world together, one tip at a time

My South African Adventure

Please welcome guest blogger Melinda from www.travelthewellknownsecret.wordpress.com

During my six weeks traveling up the coast of South Africa, I found my way inland to a little town called Oustshoorn.  I had heard from other travelers that there was a great hostel there and an ostrich farm where they actually allow you to ride an ostrich.  I was using the Baz Bus for transportation on this leg of the journey.  Baz is a great hop-on-hop-off bus service that runs the coast of South Africa.  One of the recommended stops was at the Backpacker’s Oasis Shanti.  What a relaxing place!  They offered a wonderful “family dinner” each night serving vegetarian meals, but also the opportunity to taste ostrich steak.  You would think that because it is a big “bird” it would taste like chicken, but it is more like a lean beef steak.

The hostel had an activities board to help arrange my much anticipated trip to the Cango Wildlife Ranch to ride an ostrich.  I was a little worried because I had heard there was a weight restriction on who could ride the ostrich and upon arrival I found this to be true. I was a bit over the weight (story of my life).  I learned a long time ago, especially when it comes to safety, it is NOT recommended to lie about your weight.  Most adventure sports want to know how much you weigh so they can set the equipment correctly.  If you are going to jump out of an airplane, why wouldn’t you want them to know “exactly” how much you weigh?  And in this case, the poor ostrich would not be able to hold my weight - or so, I thought.

When it came time for a volunteer, no one raised their hand. The people next to me asked why I didn’t want to try.  I told them I did, but I thought I was too heavy.  The guide said that I was able to do it if I wanted because this was a male ostrich, and he was able to handle more weight.  So I was on my way down to the coral all the while trying to control my nerves and then thought:  “Self - you dove out of an airplane, jumped off a gorge, bounced off a cliff face first; you can ride a little ostrich.”  Well - a big one!

It was in a little corral, and they loaded the bird in and put a bag over its head.  If it can’t see you, it doesn’t realize you are getting on its back!  They are not the smartest birds, but they are the fastest.  I climbed up the stairs and then jumped on.  They had a little saddle blanket type thing for me to sit on and I held on to its wings as they eased him back out of the slot  I asked the jockeys to stay with me because I didn’t want to fall off and break anything.  It was very different than riding a horse, but more memorable to say the least.

When I felt like I had had enough, about 10 seconds, I gave the signal to “Let me off!” and the jockeys pulled me off the back of the ostrich as it continued running.  I received thunderous applause from the spectators, and I returned to my seat thinking to myself “Is it bad that I ate an ostrich omelet for breakfast this morning?”

Germany: 5 Reasons to visit Bavaria

Bavaria is one of my favorite places to be.  This region has something to offer anyone whether you’re looking to shop, see art, listen to music, experience history, partake in outdoor activities, enjoy culinary delights or feast your eyes on panoramic views; it is waiting for you in Bavaria! 

Here are 5 great reasons to visit Bavaria.

1)  Munich.  Bavaria’s capital is a compact city that is easy and fun to walk.  You can find everything you want right here.  Museums full of art, jewels or cars, WWII history, music, great shopping, parks, churches, beer halls and gardens.  Don’t miss the chance to spend some time at a beer garden in Englischer Garden.

2)  Castles.  Bavaria is home to many castles.  Neuschwanstein, Linderhof, Hohenschwangau, Herrenchiemsee are a few of the more famous. But there are more including castles at Burghausen, Trausnitz, and Nuremberg.  These fairy tale castles fulfill everyone’s fantasies and the surrounding scenery is easy on the eyes. 

3)  Beer.  Pretty much every town in Bavaria makes their own beer so no matter where you are you won’t be far from a beer hall.  Don’t miss a beer garden during the summer months.  There is really nothing better than sitting outside with a few Bavarian’s sharing a traditional beer or two.  Looking for a beer festival?  This is the place for that too!  The granddaddy of all beer festivals, Oktoberfest, is held in Munich every fall.

4)  Medieval Cities.  There are many medieval cities in Bavaria – Bamberg, Regensberg and Nuremburg – but it is Rothenburg ob der Tauber that stands out to me.  There is history at every corner of Rothenburg.  As you walk down the cobblestoned streets you will be enthralled by old houses, towers and gateways that have all withstood the test of time. Be sure to enjoy walking the city walls, which almost circle the town.  For a different museum, spend some time at the Museum of Medieval Justice.

5)  Those mountains and lakes.  Bavaria is home to stunning mountains and dazzling lakes that offer spectacular scenery.  These areas are not just for gazing at but for getting out there and experiencing.  Hike, bike, swim, climb – whatever your desire get out there and do it.  Experience Bavaria. . . and don’t forget to stop for at a beer garden along the way!

This guest post comes from Debbie Beardsley of EuropeanTravelista. Debbie is an avid traveler specializing in European travel.  She lives in the San Francisco bay area but she is always ready to talk about Europe.   She enjoys reading, music, and spending time with her two children.  You can read more about European travel at Debbie’s website or chat with her on twitter  @eurotravelista 

5 reasons why you should take package tours and 5 why you shouldn't

by Travel2help.org & CareerBreak.travel

Opinion is divided as to whether it’s better to take a package tour or to travel independently. Of course, each has its own set of problems and benefits, but here’s why a package tour might be better:

1. There will be fewer language difficulties.
2. There is a tour guide to fully explain destinations and cultural points of interest.
3. You will enjoy highlights and destinations that might otherwise not be accessible.
4. Hotels, transfers, and dining are usually prearranged.
5. Predetermined schedules and itineraries.

Of course, that’s just the tip of the iceberg, and the benefits of packaged or travel tour groups also provide a sense of comfort and safety for many.

However, it’s not all good. Here’s why you should avoid the little-flag-carrying guides:

1. Destinations are predetermined and may not include some landmarks or cultural points of interest.
2. Stopping points and locations are also predetermined according to the schedule of tour personnel.
3. What do you do when you find yourself paired with obnoxious or rude travel companions?
4. Dining, hotels, and entertainment can be just for tourists and may lack local flavour and authenticity.
5. There is little flexibility for individual detours, sightseeing or volunteer work.

Depending on your age, destination and budget, joining tours is an individual decision. While many people want to experience the less common destinations, dining, and adventures, others feel more comfortable in a group led by a person who speaks the native language and knows local customs.5 reasons why you should take package tours and 5 why you shouldn't

Travel ascending

Make your career break a success

By Travel2help.org & CareerBreak.travel

Your time off from work or from changing jobs can be a successful time if you plan to do volunteer work overseas. A planned volunteer work overseas trip is the ideal solution for those who need to become more familiar with a foreign language and another culture’s daily living conditions.

Your planning will start when you find the ideal volunteer agency who will help you to decide what your goal is in doing volunteer work overseas. Formulating a goal for your overseas volunteer work will let you focus your energies in finding the right place that offers you what you are looking for in a volunteer position. Your volunteer work will be more meaningful once you know what your objectives are and why you are choosing to do volunteer work overseas.

In short:
- Plan extensively, paying particular attention to how much money you expect to spend.
- Think about your return to work, and make sure your co-workers and clients remember you.
- Ask a colleague that has taken a break and can advise you.
- Consider the possibility of not returning to the same job, company or even the same industry.
- Be flexible, and be ready to adapt, if your volunteering does not proceed exactly as you planned.

For many people, time off from work without a focused activity can be very tedious while a planned activity in a new environment can be a particularly helpful way of spending your time off from work or career transition.

Dog-Sledding Through Kiruna

Please welcome today's guest blogger Daphne from Wanderfolly.com

A sea of snow surrounded us, stretching as far as the eye could see. Here wewere in the wilderness of Kiruna, so far North in Sweden we were in the ArticCircle. Five huskies pulling a single sled, eating ice along the way as a meansof hydrating themselves. They were eager to run and dreaded the times theyhad to stop to take a rest. Though the dogs appeared to be skinny, they werestrong, and every limb probably packed with muscles. Their goal? Lunch. Justlike ours.

We had just arrived in Kiruna the day before after a good 17-hour train ridefrom Stockholm. A long painful ride it was indeed, but the views we arrived towere worth every single second of the journey. Imagine blankets and blanketsof snow on the top of the buildings, houses and vehicles, reaching to up to oreven more than a metre in height.

Having grown up in equatorial Singapore, where temperatures never fall below24 degree Celsius even on the coldest day of the year (read: blazing hotweather all year round), this was a welcome change. In fact, Kiruna spends somuch in sub-zero temperatures that we learn that when a local says thetemperature is "8", he/she really means -8 degree Celsius; 8 degree Celsiuswould be called "positive 8" instead.With this amount of snow, it was no longer possible for cars to get out of theirparking lots in front of their houses let alone be used on the roads. Insteadsnowmobiles were the main form of transportation for many. Another form oftransportation of course, though I imagine these were more for the tourists,were dog-sledding.

The mechanics of dog-sledding are simple. The dogs follow the cue of theowners, who ride a snowmobile in front of them, and when he signals for themto go, they will start running. Whenever we want them to stop, all we have to dowas to apply the brakes on the sled were on. The dogs, upon feeling thepressure of the brakes against the snow, would slow down.After a few hours of dog-sledding through vast expenses of snow, we broke forlunch in a small hut somewhere in the wilderness.

Lunch for the day was stewedreindeer meat with pasta - a simple and delicious dish prepared with a creambasedsauce. I recall the pair of reindeers I had seen outside the hut justmoments ago, and for a moment, I wonder whether we were eating theircompanion for lunch.We continued our dog-sledding through the Swedish Lapland after lunch (bothours and the dogs).

The dogs, now re-energised from their meal of dry dogfood and snow, ran even faster through the snow-covered land, pulling thesleds we were on with them.The land was so immense we had no idea where we were. We could well havebeen going around in circles and we really would not have known. Withinanother hour, we were back to where we started, ready to go again.

But weknew our enjoyable day out with the dogs were over.The dogs returned to their cage, while we returned to the car waiting to bring usback to the city centre. Just as I entered the car, I swore I heard a dog whimperjust as it was put back into the cage, sad that its fun day out frolicking in thesnow, had, too, ended.

IQUITOS : An Authentic Jungle Experience

Please welcome Mark from http://traveladventurist.blogspot.com

If you really want tours and that involve jungle expeditions or such trips, some canoeing, or hiking in the forest while still in a city , Iquitos Peru is a perfect choice, am talking of real jungle in the city, Iquitos is only Linked to the outside world by air and by river, this is the world’s largest city that cannot be reached by road Iquitos can only be reached by airplane or boat Transportation to nearby towns often requires a boat trip named /peque-peque/ a small public motorized boat, Most travel within the city is via bus, motorcycle, or auto rickshaw (mototaxi, motocarro or motokar).

Iquitos (Spanish pronunciation: [ikitos]) is the largest city in the Peruvian rainforest, with a population of 370,962. It is surrounded by three rivers: the Nanay, the Itaya, and the Amazon

City tour

you'l find wonderful mansions that were built along the river long time ago . Among these mansions is the Casa de Fierro, or Iron House, which Gustave Eiffel designed as an attraction at the Paris Exhibition of 1889. Gustave Eiffel, is the man who designed the Eiffel Tower. The Iron House he created was sent unassembled to Iquitos, where it was built on its present-day site As a city not accessible by road, motocycles and motocarros dominate unlike anywhere else,noisy Do not expect to see a city with all the flash of the western world. remember it has no road connection with the rest of the world.

Food

If you are new to Iquitos and Peru and are not familiar with Peruvian food, you are in for a real treat local dishes such as paiche (the world’s largest fresh water fish) pollo a la brasa (rotisserie chicken) or pollo a la parrilla (grilled chicken).

In recent years tourism has also played an important part in the economy of the area.Iquitos attracts people wanting to learn more about the Amazon Basin and indigenous culture, Birdwatchers come here to discover the most biodiverse region on Earth , surf deep into the amazon forest among others millions of tourists flock Iquitos,every year where they transfer to boats and start their exploration of amazon forest ,A boat tour of Belén is a common tourist attraction. Belén is a community east of Iquitos that can be accessed by foot and moto-carro, both in the dry and wet seasons.

Built on stilts, the neighborhood is designed to withstand the low water seasons and the high water, or rainy season where it is completely flooded.Belén's open-air market is also a tourist attraction,

Nightlife

The fun in Iquitos doesn’t stop when the sun goes down Clubs bounce to salsa and rock until the early hours sleep Reasonable places can be found for around 25 USD per night

Tourist Attractions in Iquitos

* Plaza de Armas
* Museo Amazonica
* Belen Market
* Lower Belen District
* Lago Quistococha
* Pilpintuwasi Butterfly Farm
* Bora and Yagua Indian Villages

if you are planing a south american tour ,Iquitos is in the heart of the Amazon Rain-forest and definitely worth an extended visit

Vacation Planning Trips for the Unprofessional Traveler

By Jaclyn Rutigliano of EagerforTravel.com

 

Vatican City in Rome, Italy in June- we found a deal on Alitalia for
direct r/t air for less than 500! Unheard of during this time of year!
With this deal, we were even able to fly into Rome and out of Florence.

 

Planning a trip can be extremely hard, time-consuming and overwhelming, especially if you aren't a huge travel enthusiast or fortunate enough to travel for a living.

To make the process a little easier, here are some planning tips you should always utilize when researching a vacation.

Photo Note: all photos are from vacations I was able to take thanks to following these tips!

1. What’s dictating my itinerary? This should always be the first thing you should ask yourself when starting the planning process. It could be budget, time of year, activities, culture, or anything, really.

Note: The easiest topics to deal with are budget and time of year. For instance, with weather: say, you can only travel in June and warm, dry weather is a huge priority for you. Well, if so, you can easily cross of places in South America or parts of SE Asia, as the weather is colder or rainy during this time of year.

2. Create a wish list. After realizing what is dictating your vacation, take a look at a map and make a "wish list" of 6-10 locations you'd love to visit at some point in your life.

Note: Can't decide on a short list of destinations to go to? Allow companies like Travelzoo and Sherman's Travel inspire you. Each Wednesday, these two companies release a list of the top 20 and 25 vacation deals. Catch: you have to be ready to pounce right away as deals sell out quickly. You also have to luck out in finding a deal that coincides with your travel days (or be flexible). Wanderfly is also a great inspiration tool.

Cinque Terre

3. Research Things to look out for as you research each area:

Weather: what is the climate like during the time of year you are able to travel? If it's rainy and you're looking for beach time, you can likely cross off a couple of destinations and save them for another time of the year.

• Airfare: Your plane tickets will almost always account for majority of your budget, especially if you’re traveling abroad. Utilize the amazing search engines and fare trackers out there to find the best fares available so airfare doesn’t put you totally out of your budget.

Some tools:

• Bing Travel: Bing uses price predictor technology that will tell you whether a fare is a deal or not. Based on fare history, your search results will tell you whether you should buy now or wait for a better price. You can also set a fare alert to email you the latest fares so you don't have to check back each day.
• Fly.com: Fly.com has a great fare calendar that tells you the cheapest days to fly to the destination of your choice. This will save you the headache of guessing which days will garner the best fares.
• HipMunk: This somewhat new search engine generates search results in a refreshing way: through a colorful bar chart. It also filters search results by degree of “agony,” and allows you to search multiple dates and airports in separate tabs, saving you a trip to the previous stage to start all over again.
• CheapOAir.com (obviously): This website, of course, also does a great job of highlighting cheap airfares.

Newsletters: subscribe to newsletters to receive alerts about low fares from your hometown airport.

Some great ones include:
- Airfare Watchdog
- FareCompare
- Ortbitz

** Tip: this research will come in handy for almost every vacation in the future so keep your findings in a safe place!

Florence, Italy

4. Choose where to go. Now that you have an idea of airfare, and have likely prioritized these destinations according to fares, its time to dive in a little deeper and decide which towns within these destinations are a fit for your trip.

Take the destinations that are within your budget (no more than 3, unless you're a research buff) and check out the popular locations within these areas. If you're looking for a beach getaway, which beach area has the cleanest, most scenic beach? Or maybe you're looking for party life. If so, look for those with a great restaurant and bar scene.

Use guidebook websites such as LonelyPlanet.com, Frommers.com, Fodors.com, etc. They frequently have helpful high-level "first time itineraries" that will give you an idea of what these locations have to offer.

5. Choose Your Hotel(s). Once you've settled on a town (s), it’s time to figure out where you will stay. Of course, a great place to start is by looking at the list of “critic’s picks” or hotels reviewed by authors in guidebooks or on major outlet’s websites such as The New York Times travel section. Travel blogs are also incredibly helpful as they often provide the latest on new hotels, reviews, etc. (HotelChatter, Gadling and Oyster.com are among my favorites). 

Consult the locals and regulars. If you’re unsure of the best location, consult locals and frequent visitors who post on social media websites/message boards like TripAdvisor or Lonely Planet’s Thorntree. These websites are also great because they can provide a wealth of information not commonly shared in guidebooks. On a girls getaway? Might want to make sure that #1 rated hotel in the area isn’t just for honeymooners. Looking for a romantic trip? Ask about adults-only hotels. These forums also provide updated information about management, if there is construction being done at the hotel (or next door), new policies, cleanliness, etc.

Utilize flash hotel sale websites

Feeling lucky or have flexible plans? Check out flash hotel sale websites like Jetsetter, Snique Away or Vacationist to see if they are offering any luxury hotels in your vacation destination for the dates you will be visiting. These sites also work really well if you have flexible plans. Note: you must sign up in order to view sales but no membership fee required.

We visited Panama in May- The whole trip
cost us less than $2K per person!

6. Dig a little deeper. Once you've settled on a town(s), return to those social media websites/message boards to ask more questions. Use these forums to ask about the best tour companies and restaurants, appropriate attire, etc. etc. Ask anything! Use these forums just as you would ask your co-worker or friend whether you should take advantage of a sale on shoes. Guidebooks are a great starting point, but when you get down to finalizing the nitty-gritty details (especially when choosing restaurants or the best tour companies), who better to give you relevant, current answers, than a local or frequent visitor?

7. Use these answers. Does the hottest restaurant in town or most popular tour company require advanced reservations? If so, be sure to plan ahead! It would be a shame to miss out on some of these “must do” activities just because you thought you’d be fine if you waited until you got there. If you prefer to take the more laid back approach, though, relying on your concierge’s expertise is certainly acceptable.

8. Before finalizing... After you've outlined your vacation, it’s important to ask some final questions before confirming everything. Some things to look into before booking your hotel, tour, flight:

• Cancellation Policy
• Price Adjustment: does the website say its the best price but then you find a cheaper option? If so, find out if they will credit the difference. 
• What's included: do you get any meals in your rate?
• For tours, do they pick up at your hotel? Will they reimburse you if the tour gets cancelled due to weather?
• For hotels, are some rooms better than others? If so, be sure to request this so you aren't disappointed upon arrival.
• For airlines, have they introduced any new fees?

One of the most expensive times to travel to warm weather
destinations is over Christmas break. Thanks to some research, we were able to spend 5 days in Playa del Carmen for less than $1500 per person during this time of year!

It may seem like a lot of work but just remember, this is all part of your travel adventure! Be sure to get your travel buddy in the mix too so you can both be equally engaged and excited for your trip. This research will provide you with a wealth of information about your vacation destination, before you even board your flight.

With a little research and flexibility, you might end up visiting your dream destination or having the time of your life in a place you might not ever have thought of before…

Airport Lounge

Happy planning!